Are Chevy Blazers reliable vehicles?

It's interesting what you can find when you start looking. I didn't know the 4.3L has been sold to a bunch of manufacturers for industrial use such as in forklifts including Toyotas, Caterpillars, Hysters, Yales, and Clarks, etc. There is an issue with the starter bolts that I was not aware of. The bolts holding the starter go into the block vertically rather than the normal horizontal arrangement with other engines. That is not a problem unless the wrong bolts are used. What I find interesting is that builders of industrial equipment aren't going to pick an engine that won't provide reliable service. I didn't know the GM 4.3L engine has been used by so many manufacturers.

http://www.mhnetwork.com/news/the-4-...-know-so-well/

Given the two I'd pick the oldest one, providing the bodies are in about the same shape, simply because the older vehicle isn't as complicated electronically from an engine control point of view. The older vehicle will be simpler to troubleshoot. I also like the manual 4WD drive engagement compared to the push a switch method with additional parts in the newer models.

My friend had a 92 with a TBI and it ran fine. They did change to the CPI in that year which used the spyder for fuel distribution. Here's a rack up of the various 4.3L engines through the years. For me more HP isn't necessarily better. The 91 S10 and 92 S15 I am familiar with kept up with traffic on the interstate. I'd check to see if either vehicle has limited slip in the rear axle. My 91 has that and it seems to make a difference when I'm driving around the farm. That's only if you're going in for serious 4x4 situations. Like any piece of equipment, I wonder if the lower HP engines have better longevity.

Year Horsepower Torque Fuel System Compression Ratio RPO Applications
1985-86 155 hp (116 kW) @ 4000 rpm 230 lb·ft (312 N·m) @ 2400 RPM 4-BBL 9.3:1 LB1 1,2,3
1985 130 hp (97 kW) @ 3600 rpm 210 lb·ft (285 N·m) @ 2000 RPM TBI 9.3:1 LB4 4,5
1986-90 140 hp (100 kW) @ 4000 rpm 225 lb·ft (305 N·m) @ 2000 RPM TBI 9.3:1 LB4 4,5
1987-88 145 hp (108 kW) @ 4200 rpm 225 lb·ft (305 N·m) @ 2000 RPM TBI 9.3:1 LB4 5
1986 160 hp (120 kW) @ 4000 rpm 235 lb·ft (319 N·m) @ 2400 RPM TBI 9.3:1 LB4 3
1987-92 150 hp (110 kW) @ 4000 rpm 230 lb·ft (312 N·m) @ 2400 RPM TBI 9.3:1 LB4 2
1987-92 160 hp (120 kW) @ 4000 rpm 235 lb·ft (319 N·m) @ 2400 RPM TBI 9.1:1 LB4 1,3,6,7
1993-95 155 hp (116 kW) @ 4000 rpm 230 lb·ft (312 N·m) @ 2000 RPM TBI 9.1:1 LB4 2
1993-95 165 hp (123 kW) @ 4000 rpm 235 lb·ft (319 N·m) @ 2000 RPM TBI 9.1:1 LB4 1,3,6,7
1990-92 170 hp (130 kW) @ 4600 rpm 260 lb·ft (353 N·m) @ 3400 RPM TBI 9.1:1 LU2 1
1992-94 200 hp (150 kW) @ 4500 rpm 260 lb·ft (353 N·m) @ 3600 RPM CPI 9.1:1 L35 1,2,3
1995 190 hp (140 kW) @ 4500 rpm 260 lb·ft (353 N·m) @ 3400 RPM CPI 9.1:1 L35 1
1995 191 hp (142 kW) @ 4500 rpm 260 lb·ft (353 N·m) @ 3400 RPM CPI 9.1:1 L35 3
1995 195 hp (145 kW) @ 4500 rpm 260 lb·ft (353 N·m) @ 3400 RPM CPI 9.1:1 L35 2
1996 170 hp (130 kW) @ 4400 rpm 235 lb·ft (319 N·m) @ 2800 RPM SCPI 9.2:1 LF6 5
1997-2002 175 hp (130 kW) @ 4400 rpm 240 lb·ft (325 N·m) @ 2800 RPM SCPI 9.2:1 LF6 5
1996-2002 180 hp (130 kW) @ 4400 rpm 240 lb·ft (325 N·m) @ 2800 RPM SCPI 9.2:1 LF6 6
1996-2002 180 hp (130 kW) @ 4400 rpm 245 lb·ft (332 N·m) @ 2800 RPM SCPI 9.2:1 L35 5
1996-2002 190 hp (140 kW) @ 4400 rpm 250 lb·ft (339 N·m) @ 2800 RPM SCPI 9.2:1 L35 3,4,6
1996-2002 200 hp (150 kW) @ 4400 rpm 250 lb·ft (339 N·m) @ 2800 RPM SCPI 9.2:1 L35 2
1996-1998 200 hp (150 kW) @ 4400 rpm 255 lb·ft (346 N·m) @ 2800 RPM SCPI 9.2:1 L35 1
1999-2002 200 hp (150 kW) @ 4600 rpm 260 lb·ft (353 N·m) @ 2800 RPM SCPI 9.2:1 L35 7
Source: [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_90-Degree_V6_engine[/url

Stef, I have an S-10 truck with the 4.3...great little truck, and since I drive it conservatively, I get decent MPG. All vehicles get bad MPG in town.

I'd look hard at the '03 if I were buying. It should be easier to get parts for the newer of the two should you ever need them. I prefer newer vehicles over older ones, just because parts age and go bad with time. (I'd say the same thing with any make or model vehicle.)

Parts availability is definitely an issue. If you or someone you have confidence in will do the repair work, parts can always be found although not necessarily easily. GM dealers have the ability to search other GM dealers inventory for obsolete parts. I recently looked for a lower radiator hose for my 87. There were 8 original hoses at 7 dealers across the US.

Thanks, everyone. I really don't understand a lot of what many of you wrote, but I'm sure it was helpful to someone else. That's why we come here; to ask and share, right?

I mainly wondered about these two particular vehicles, their general track record as far as longevity was concerned and typical repair histories.

As I said originally, I wouldn't buy anything without a thorough going over by my regular mechanic, but I thought they were common enough models that someone here would mostly likely own one, or have owned one in the past.

Thanks again.

stef

We have a 1999 K5 Blazer, a 1989 K1500 Blazer, ( the only differnece between a K5 and K1500 is the accessory package), a 1999 2 door Tahoe, and a 2004 4 door Tahoe. I LOVE them all!!! The 1999 is by far the best vehicle I have ever had....will go anywhere and repairs are not costly at all. ( Fuel pump was $12......newer Tahoe fuel pump is $400.) These are all full size......the 2003 you are looking at would have to be what used to be considered a S-10 as they quit making full size Blazers in 1994. Both my kids had S-10's and while they were too small for my liking they never had any problems with them. My full size Blazers each had the motors blow, one at 116,000 miles and the other at 132,000, otherwise they have been very good to us and each have in excess of 200,000 miles on them. My 1999 Tahoe is another story........everything and anything has gone wrong with it but it sure is pretty

Oh yeah DON'T buy one with a 2.8...had one for a couple months and couldn't stand it.....called it the "Gutless Wonder".

We have an 89 GMC Jimmy or a clone to the Blazer. Their worst component is the intake gasket. GM knew it was a dog but used anyhow. The aftermarket version is much better. Our catylitic converter plugged and that really has to be in place for it to work properly. We use the 4x4 regularly just to ensure things don't lock up, its kind of a standard thing with all 4x4.s Typical little things like the turn signal lever went and the blower motor and relay. That lever was pricey installed although cheap as a part. Nasty enough job time wise. Other wise we like it fine, I'd buy another but I do think its a little small.

__________________
Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup........

Couldnt be any worse than Fords 2.8L. Gutless with poor mileage, who could ask for anything more? No wonder Jeep sold so many of their small suv of same era with the straight six. Not great mileage, but it has some power. Biggest mistake for them to given up that engine, it had developed quite a following.

__________________
"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy

"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman

And deep enough pockets to put the mechanic's children through college single handed....

__________________
"What would you do with a brain if you had one?" -Dorothy

"Well, then ignore what I have to say and go with what works for you." -Eliot Coleman

I have an older full size 85 blazer. Been running great for the past 8 years now. It has a 350 engine and a manual tranny, it's a pretty tough truck.

First off you need to clarify if you're looking at fullsize Blazres or S10 size Blazers.
Both are very reliable durable vehicles. There are some differences in powertrains which will matter depending on useage. I have seen both size versions go 300k mi. Much depends on how they were treated in their first life.

__________________
"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self confidence"
Robert Frost

I have a 1996 Chevy Balzer.. 267,000 miles on it with only the replacement of the fuel pump until now..I need ac and heater core... but still drives and runs fine.

__________________
Christanie Farm...living life as it was intended

We have a 1982 full size K5 Blazer, its a real tank, its also diesel, so the mileage is pretty decent. She's a workhorse, use it to tow our tractors around, four wheel drive has come in really handy lately, it does have locking hubs. Most were made for military use. It is still possible to find a K5 or Jimmy that is diesel, they made them from 82 to 91 I think, worth thinking about if your looking at older ones. Only reason I agreed to buy this truck was because it was diesel, I wouldn't have wanted one with a gas engine. This one has earned its keep. Also had a S-10 pickup, with the 4.3 V6 in it, that was a great little truck, loved driving it, very strong engine even with high miles.

__________________
"I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." Bilbo Baggins

Thats where I'm lucky. My mechanics kid didn't go to college. His father let him GED out of high school and trained him in the shop, how to run a wrecker and a repo snatch truck and had his uncle train him in the family paint and body shop.

Best part is they sold me two first generation rag outs that were surrendered in leau of towing and storage for scale weight price to store in my barn for parts plus I have a crated engine I bought from a friend who lost his 88 model in a tornado at a bargain price of $600 so for under $1100 I have a decent parts house for it.

__________________
"I didn't have time to slay the dragon. It's on my To Do list!"

They glued the doors on????? I find that hard to believe as all of them I have ever seen had welded hinges after they stopped the preferred bolting method. I know they bond some of the panels on but not the structural stuff. Gonna have to look at the one we have at work tonite and see how it is mounted. Either way 700 bucks seems like a lot to glue on a panel or fix a door.

I've got a 2000 S10 Blazer with about 180K miles on it. Love it, love it, love it. The only thing I would change on it would that it would be a 4-door instead of a 2-door, but I don't ever want to get rid of it. Heck, I even love the way it sounds when I punch the gas. The only real problem I've ever had is that it goes through front brake pads a little quicker than I would like, but that's ok, since I really don't use them all that much.

Both years are pretty good but if the 88 is a 2.8 liter then it will sort of get out of it's own way with a 5 speed. If it's a 4.3 liter then you're fine. They're both reliable but the 03 will cost you more to get fixed and has more things to break due to it being more complex. The 03 has a totally electronic transmission, 4 oxygen sensors and a fuel pump that costs 2-3 times as much etc etc. (over 200 as opposed to under 100)

Hiring a mechanic for the 03 means someone with a high dollar scan tool and the knowledge to use it. $75-90 per hour. For the 88 you could find a mechanic at $40-60 and the repairs would be quicker due to less complexity and the parts cheaper.

I've owned about 5 of them from 88 - 97 and have worked on a few for other people. Just worked on an 01 a few days ago.

Be careful when purchasing GM products with 6 cylinder engines built prior to 2005. GM used Dexcool anti freeze and head gaskets that fell apart prematurely. Changing the head gasket can run $1500 - $2000.
GM did a recall on this, but in fact, they were hauled into court, kicking & screaming, before the class action lawsuit forced GM into the recall.

Be aware that many of these vehicles are on the roads.

Or you you do it yourself for less than 100 bucks My Dad has done two of them. I wouldn't say it was fun but it was cheap way of getting two vehicles. The one has over 240,000 miles on it now and it has been 3 years since he fixed it.

__________________
http://www.xanga.com/shackman A blog about whatever

Yep, they do, take a look (I was suprised and dissapointed to say the least). It is an industrial epoxy, my mechanic will remove them, and then weld them back on and paint the welds. That is 700 for all four. I for one wish they still bolted them on.